France has called for a constructive regional dialogue in the Gulf on maritime security, and renewed its call on Iran to return to full compliance with the nuclear deal, saying it is a necessary political element to reduce tension.

In a statement commenting on Britain's announcement to join a US naval mission to secure shipping in the Gulf, the French Foreign Ministry called for a constructive regional dialogue in the Gulf on maritime security.

Paris also called on the Iranian authorities to launch the British tanker as soon as possible, noting that freedom of maritime navigation is an element in the regional security of world trade.

She explained that she would continue discussions with her partners to find practical and diplomatic solutions in order to avoid escalation of the region and strengthen security conditions in the Gulf.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed in a telephone conversation the need to continue dialogue and seek ways to reduce tension in the region and maintain freedom of navigation, the Fars news agency reported Wednesday.

It quoted Rouhani as saying that "there are ongoing American provocative attempts, and that France, as one of Iran's oldest partners, can play a role in calming the atmosphere in the region and the world."

For his part, Macron assured Rouhani of France's commitment to the nuclear agreement, and welcomed his proposal to consult between experts of the two countries to find appropriate solutions to regional and international issues.

Yisrael Katz asserts that participation in the protection of navigation security is an Israeli interest (Reuters)

Israeli participation
In a related development, revealed the Israeli news website "A24 News" that Tel Aviv will participate in maritime security in the Gulf in response to a US request.

He pointed out that Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz revealed before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that Israel is part of the US plan that calls for the security of maritime navigation in the Gulf waters in terms of security and intelligence.

Katz said during the session that the decision to participate in securing navigation in the Gulf is a clear Israeli interest, as well as a strategy to rein in Iran and strengthen relations between Israel and the Gulf states, he said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced yesterday that Washington had asked 60 countries to join an international coalition to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, without talking about the countries that have officially announced their accession.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the dependence of some Arab countries on Israel to protect it is a wrong policy, because Israel is unable to face the missiles of the resistance factions, and will not be able to ensure the security of these countries, as he put it.